In a basket weave, two rectangular pavers sit side by side and form a square. The next square is turned 90°, so you get a checkerboard of horizontal and vertical pairs. The preview shows it with a standard 200 × 100 mm paver, and the rotate button switches to the diagonal version.
Where does basket weave work?
The pattern looks calm without the rigid grid of a stack bond. On patios, seating areas and garden paths it has a classic look, especially with clay pavers or warm colours.
For driveways it is the weaker choice. Joints run straight between the squares, and the pairs interlock less than herringbone. If cars will drive on it, the 45° herringbone template is the sturdier option.
Pavers per m² and the right paver size
One repeat tile measures 400 × 400 mm and holds eight pavers, which gives 50 pavers per m² (about 4.6 per sq ft) without joints. A 20 m² patio needs 1,000 pavers before joints and waste.
The ratio of the paver matters more than the count. The pattern only closes when two paver widths plus one joint equal one paver length. A 200 × 100 mm paver with a narrow joint works well. Check the size before you buy, or the offsets add up across the surface.
Recreate the template in PatioPlanner
The “Open template in planner” button loads the standard rectangular paver with the basket weave pattern and the Pedestrian load class. Then:
- Draw your patio. Grid and Snap put the corners on clean measurements, and Dimensions shows the edge lengths. Undo takes back a wrong click.
- Choose the stone color. The canvas updates right away, so you can see whether red, charcoal or sand suits the house better.
- Set the joint width. For pavers on a sand bed, 3 to 5 mm is typical. The shopping list works out the joint filler from it, from quartz sand to epoxy mortar.
- If a path joins the patio, add it as a second surface on the same drawing. Each surface keeps its own pattern, say basket weave on the patio and running bond on the path, and the shopping list adds everything up.
- Share the design. “Share link” creates a link with the whole drawing, “Export as PNG” gives you an image, and “Print” produces an A4 page with the shopping list for the supplier.
Tips for laying
- Lay one square at a time and check with a string line every few rows that the joints still line up. In a basket weave every deviation shows.
- Keep the joint width even. Plastic joint spacers help on the first rows.
- The diagonal version looks more refined but needs far more cuts. Compare both rotation angles in the planner before you decide.
FAQ
What is the difference between basket weave and herringbone?
In basket weave, pavers sit in pairs and form squares. In herringbone, each paver is offset into the next one. Herringbone interlocks more strongly, so it is the better choice for vehicle traffic.
How many pavers do I need for a 20 m² basket weave patio?
In theory 1,000 pavers at 200 × 100 mm, without joints or waste. Enter a waste allowance in the planner and the shopping list adds it to the count.
Can I lay basket weave on the diagonal?
Yes. Set the rotation angle to 45° and apply the pattern. The optimizer then shows which joint width produces the fewest cuts.